Workforce completes rare Arc-Derby double

Workforce supplied trainer Sir Michael Stoute with his first success in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris, yesterday.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Workforce became only the sixth horse to add the Arc to victory in the Epsom Derby in the same season, joining a select club featuring arguably the best Arc winner of them all – last year’s scorer Sea The Stars.

Bouncing back from a mysterious flop in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the 6-1 chance edged out Japanese runner Nakayama Fiesta, with French Oaks winner Sarafina in third.

Stoute, runner-up twice in the Arc, said: “If you have any ambition from the time you start training you want to win this race.

“We have had a lot of horses running particularly well in it without doing it, so I’m thrilled, especially as he was so impressive on Derby day and the King George performance was inexplicable.”

Moore was nearer last than fast as the field rounded the home bend, but once into the straight Workforce cut through the pack, making light of the testing ground described disparagingly earlier in the day by Andre Fabre as ressembling a “potato patch”.

Once he hit the front Moore had to dig deep to hold off Nakayama Fiesta (22-1), who put in a brilliant performance in his quest to become the first Japanese Arc winner.

There were some nervy moments for Workforce’s connections as the siren sounded indicating a stewards’ inquiry but it soon became evident the winner was not involved in their deliberations into interference in the straight.